Modular gun sling

ABSTRACT

A modular sling for firearms, especially for tactical operators such as Military and Police officers or for others who have a need to carry a firearm. The sling is attachable to the firearm using either a single point or two-point attachment, and may include an extendable portion. The extendable portion may be replaced by a non-extendable portion in modular fashion. The sling includes a quick length adjustment module.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to slings for firearms, especially for tacticaloperators such as Military and Police officers including those with K-9and other specialized mission sets, although the disclosed devices maybe used by others who have a need to carry a firearm. The disclosedsling is attachable to the firearm using either a single point ortwo-point attachment on the firearm. This disclosure particularlyaddresses weapons system employment and retention while allowing theoperator to maintain situational awareness and positive control of thefirearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

There are many types of gun slings available for tactical operatorsincluding single-point and two-point varieties. Each variety hasarguable strengths and weaknesses dependent upon the dynamics of theoperating environment. Unfortunately, many gun slings increase thelikelihood of a mishap from snags or loss of situational awareness dueto having overly complicated adjustments and design. Many gun slingdesigns have limited functionality forcing the operator to altertraining techniques to accommodate his equipment versus the equipmentbeing designed around the operator's requirements. Both Military andPolice officers experience operations that often dictate requiredequipment. Unfortunately, these types of operations are very dynamic innature and may require flexibility and adaptability by both theindividual operator, as well as the operator's equipment. Additionally,operators conducting similar missions may have different personalpreferences.

An objective of the current design is to provide a single gun slingconstructed with typical sling strapping material that adapts to theindividual operator's preferences regardless of training discipline ormission requirements. The gun sling is sufficiently modular in nature toperform the functions of both a single-point bungee style sling and as atwo-point quick-adjust style sling without compromising eithertechnique. An extendable portion may be replaced with a non-extendableportion that can be made with typical sling strapping material. Theextendable portion may be a loop of bungee cord or other extendablematerial.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Described herein is a gun sling for carrying a rifle, shotgun or otherlong gun that is adjustable to serve as a bungee-style single-pointsling and as a two-point quick adjust sling. This is achieved byutilizing a stretchable ring (bungee or “shock-cord”) at one end of thesling, which serves a dual purpose as a stretchable portion of the slingand as a connection junction for the single-point mode. When the slingis configured in single-point mode, the stretchable (bungee) ringpermits the operator to quickly extend the long gun as a striking weaponwithout jarring the operator's body forward. In an alternativeembodiment, the bungee ring section may be replaced by a fixed length,non-extendable section. In another alternative embodiment, the bungeering may be replaced by a length of an extendable material such aselastic.

The long gun sling is comprised of three main sections: a firstattachment section, a stationary strap length section, and aquick-adjustment section. The first attachment section may include anextendable portion, such as a bungee ring section, and includes a hooktype connector to attach the sling to the rear of the rifle and whichcan be utilized in single-point and two-point configurations. The firstattachment section attaches to the rear of the rifle at one end and tothe stationary strap section of the sling at the other. The stationarystrap section is comprised of a length of strapping and serves as apredominantly stationary portion of the sling; however, length can beadjusted manually dependent on the desired length. Additionally, thislength of strapping also serves as the location to attach a removableshoulder pad accessory. The quick-adjustment section permits desiredlength adjustment by the operator with a single hand without removal ofthe weapons system from the operator's body. The quick-adjustmentsection attaches to the stationary strap section of the sling at oneend, and the other end attaches to either a forward position on therifle for two-point mode, or to the bungee ring for single-point mode.

An objective of the current disclosure is to provide a single gun slingthat adapts to the individual operator's preferences and missionrequirements regardless of training discipline. The gun sling issufficiently modular in nature to perform the functions of both asingle-point style sling as well as two-point quick-adjust style slingswithout compromise of either technique or operator safety due to morecomplicated sling systems. The gun sling is user configurable and doesnot limit the operator's techniques promoting greater tacticalefficiency over competing gun sling systems.

The accompanying diagrams and descriptions will aid in the visualizationof the described features, and functionality of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a plan view of an embodiment of the gun sling laid out flat.

FIG. 1B is a plan view of a detachable shoulder pad that can be attachedto the gun sling of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a plan view of a stock adapter accessory.

FIG. 1D is a plan view of a non-extendable connector that can besubstituted for the bungee ring accessory.

FIG. 1E is a plan view depicting the non-extendable connector of FIG. 1Dattached to stationary strap length of the gun sling in place of thebungee ring accessory.

FIG. 2 depicts the sling in single-point bungee configuration attachedto a weapon system.

FIG. 3 depicts the sling in two-point configuration attached to a weaponsystem.

FIG. 4 depicts the sling with an alternative single-point mount attachedto a weapons system.

FIG. 5 depicts the sling in single-point configuration attached to aweapons system as worn by a right-handed operator.

FIG. 6 depicts the sling in transition from single-point configurationto two-point configuration.

FIG. 7 depicts the sling in two-point configuration.

FIG. 8 depicts the weapon stowed on the operator's back with the muzzlepointed in a safe direction.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are a series of views depicting the sequentialoperation of the quick-detach mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the handle portion ofthe sling.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tri-glide adjuster with the end ofthe strap tucked back.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1A is an illustration of the gun sling 12 laid out flat anddepicting three sections denominated as the first attachment section 14,the stationary strap section 16 and the quick adjustment section 18. Theboundaries between the three sections are only approximations for thepurpose of illustration, as the lengths of the sections may be varieddepending on weapon system configuration and adjustments that can bemade by the operator. FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D show alternate accessoriesincluding a detachable shoulder pad 30 that can be affixed to thestationary strap section 16 of the gun sling 12 for added comfort or foruse with larger weapon systems such a squad automatic weapon (M249) andother similar weapon systems. Other accessories include a stock adaptor31 (FIG. 1C) for use with weapon systems that do not have a slingattachment point between the stock and the receiver, and anon-stretchable, quick-detachable non-extendable connector 34 (FIG. 1D),which can be utilized as an alternate accessory in the first attachmentsection 14. It includes a snap shackle 23, snap shackle strap 25 andattachment loop 27. In an alternative embodiment, snap shackle strap 25could include an extendable portion or its entire length could be madeof an extendable material such as elastic. Attachment loop 27 attachesto stationary strap length 42 in place of the bungee ring accessory 20.Alternatively, the snap shackle strap 25 and the attachment loop 27could be omitted entirely with the snap shackle 23 being attacheddirectly to the stationary strap length 42. The dashed lines 48 in thisand other figures represent stitching commonly used to attach an end ofa strap of the kind disclosed herein to the body of the strap to form aloop. The strap of the disclosed embodiment is made with typicalstrapping material known to persons skilled in the art.

The stationary strap length 42 is a single length of strapping thatbegins with it being attached to the single loop buckle 46, then passingthrough the tri-glide adjuster 44, then looping around the bungee ring29 and then passing again through the tri-glide adjuster 44. The end ofthe stationary strap length 42 may be secured by folding it back aroundand through the tri-glide adjuster 44 as is shown in FIG. 13, whichpromotes a more secure fit and reduces the possibility of a snag hazardpresented by excess material. The same technique can be used with secondtri-glide adjuster 60. The attachment to the single loop buckle 46 canalso be seen in FIG. 12, where the end of the strap is fused to the bodyof the strap with an adhesive, stitching or welded by other means. Thelength of the stationary strap length 42 may be adjusted at thetri-glide adjuster 44. Once adjusted by the operator according to hispreference, the stationary strap length 42 will generally remain at thatlength during an operation. In FIG. 12, the stationary strap length 42is shown attached to the single loop buckle 46 having one end of thestrap length 42 passing through the single loop buckle 46 and then theend being fused to the strap length 42.

The bungee ring accessory 20 serves a dual purpose: as a singlequick-detachable point, when in two-point configuration; and, as aconnection junction for single point mode. When the bungee ringaccessory 20 is utilized in the single-point configuration, it enablesthe momentary extension of the weapon system by the operator and theability to release the weapons system from the operator's body in theevent of an emergency.

The first attachment section 14 may have a bungee ring accessory 20 thatis quickly detachable from the weapon. FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are a seriesof views depicting the quick-detach feature of the bungee ring accessory20 as used by an operator on an AR-style weapon system. The bungee ringaccessory 20 includes a number of components starting with asnap-shackle 22 that is attached to a receiver plate sling mount 36usually located between the stock/receiver extension 38 and the receiver40. FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 depict only a portion of the stock/receiverextension 38. As is shown in the drawings, the stock/receiver extension38 includes a tubular portion attached to the receiver. Some long gunsdo not have such a tubular portion (see FIG. 4). The sling mount shownin the figures as receiver plate sling mount 36 could also be a slingmount attached to the stock as is known to those skilled in the art, andthe snap-shackle 22 could be attached to such a sling mount on thestock. The operation of the system will be essentially the sameirrespective of the type of sling mount on the firearm. The snap-shackle22 depicted in the disclosed embodiment is a standard constructionhaving a latch 23, release pin 24, pin ring 26 and snap-shackle tab 28.As is shown sequentially in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operator must pull thesnap-shackle tab 28 to release the hardware from the receiver platesling mount 36 on the weapon. Whether attached to the receiver platesling mount 36, or attached in one of the alternative attachmentconfigurations discussed in this disclosure, the snap-shackle 22operates as discussed above.

The bungee ring accessory 20 also includes a snap-shackle strap 25 and abungee ring 29. The snap-shackle strap 25 connects the snap-shackle 22to the bungee ring 29. In the disclosed embodiment, the bungee ring 29is shown as having a junction 29 a, but the junction 29 a may beeliminated if a continuous loop of extendable material is used.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, the stationary strap section 16 includes astationary strap length 42 that has one end affixed to the single-loopbuckle 46. The other end passes through a tri-glide adjuster 44, is thenlooped around the bungee ring 29, then passes back through the tri-glideadjuster 44 and can then be manually adjusted using the tri-glideadjuster 44. Other adjusters can be substituted for the tri-glideadjuster depicted in the figures. The single-loop buckle 46 is astrap-reciprocating point coupled to the quick-adjustment strap length52 and is the pivot point for the operator to single handedly adjust thesling length in an instant, without removing the sling from theoperator's body.

The quick-adjustment strap section 18 comprises a quick adjustment straplength 52 with a standard trigger-snap 54 or similar attachment hardwarenear one end of the strap length with a strap adjustor 56 or othersimilar hardware fitted to the quick adjustment strap length 52. Thestrap adjustor 56 has a single handle 58 attached to it and the strapadjustor 56 temporarily locks the quick adjustment strap length 52 inthe desired increment of length. Pulling the handle 58 in one directionlengthens the strap length 52 and pulling the handle 58 in the oppositedirection shortens the strap length 52.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the modular gun slingshowing the quick adjustment strap length 52 passing through the strapadjustor 56. One end of quick adjustment strap 52 is fastened to thestrap adjustor 56 at attachment rib 55. In the disclosed embodiment,this is accomplished by passing an end of the quick adjustment strap 52around attachment rib 55 and stitching the end of the quick adjustmentstrap 52 to the body of the quick adjustment strap 52 with stitching 48,but other attachment means could be used, such as an adhesive or rivets.The quick adjustment strap 52 then passes through the single loop buckle46, then back to strap adjustor 56 where it passes upwardly (relative tothe figure) through first slot 59, then passes downwardly through secondslot 61, then through second tri-glide adjuster 60 (see FIG. 1), thenaround the attachment bar of trigger-snap assembly 53 and finally backthrough second tri-glide assembly 60. The length of quick adjustmentstrap 52 can be initially adjusted by means of the second tri-glideassembly 60, but thereafter the length of quick adjustment strap 52 canbe quickly adjusted by pulling on handle 58 in one direction or theother. The handle 58 is attached to an interior rib 57 on the strapadjustor 56. In this embodiment, it is a single piece of strapping thatloops around the interior rib 57 with the ends stitched together. Thehandle 58 depicted in the disclosed embodiment is a single example ofone possible design of a handle. In this embodiment, the handle 58 isconstructed of strapping similar to the strapping used in the stationarystrap section 16 and the quick adjustment section 18. However, handle 58may be made of other materials, for example, a rubberized handle coveror webbing, or a rigid or semi-rigid section of a polymer material.Furthermore, the handle 58 may be attached to the strap adjustor withother means such as a pivot pin or it may be rigidly attached. In thisdisclosure, a flexible handle 58 is preferred because it is less likelyto cause interference during an operation.

FIG. 1E depicts one of the modular features of the disclosed embodiment.It shows that the non-extendable connector 34 can be substituted for thebungee ring accessory 20 in the first attachment section 14. Theoperator can simply detach an end of the stationary strap length 42 fromthe tri-glide adjuster 44, slide the bungee ring accessory 20 off andreplace it with the non-extendable connector 34 with stationary straplength 42 passing through attachment loop 27. Additionally, thisconfiguration permits full usage of the sling in both single-point andtwo-point modes. For single point mode, trigger-snap 54 can be attachedto the attachment loop 27.

FIG. 2 depicts the sling in single-point bungee configuration. The sling12 is attached to the weapon system by use of a common receiver platesling mount 36 attached to the rear of the lower receiver 40 of AR-styleplatforms. This configuration utilizes the bungee ring accessory 20 as aconnection junction for the trigger-snap 54. This mode permits full useof the bungee ring accessory 20 to momentarily extend the weapon system(as utilized during execution of a muzzle strike), and limited use ofthe quick-adjust mechanism comprising the strap adjustor 56 and thehandle 58.

The modular construction of the disclosed sling allows for variousattachment possibilities depending on the type of firearm being used andthe operator's preferences. For example, the first attachment section 14could be omitted entirely with the strap 42 pulled through the muzzleend sling mount 70, or through the receiver plate sling mount 36,without using any hook type connector. In the same manner, the triggersnap assembly 53 could be omitted entirely, with quick adjustment straplength 52 pulled through the receiver plate sling mount 36, or themuzzle end sling mount 70. However, as is known to those skilled in theart, a firearm can have sling attachment points at various places on thefirearm, not only the attachment points depicted in the disclosedembodiment. For example, a shotgun may have an attachment loop affixedto the body of the stock and another attachment loop affixed to themagazine tube near the muzzle end of the firearm. The modularconstruction of the disclosed sling allows it to be attached to manytypes of firearms in several different ways.

FIG. 3 depicts the sling 12 in two-point configuration on an AR-styleweapon system. The sling 12 is attached to the rifle at the muzzle endsling mount 70, which is depicted as a common loop style forward slingmount, by attaching the trigger-snap 54 to the muzzle end sling mount70. FIG. 3 also shows the sling 12 mounted to the rifle near the rear ofthe weapon via the quick-release snap-shackle 22 at a receiver platesling mount 36. Additional ways of attaching the sling 12 includeweaving the strap through an open butt stock (not pictured), by use ofthe stock adapter accessory 31 (FIG. 1C), or use of other standard riflesling hardware (not pictured) found on conventional rifles and shotguns.This mode permits full use of the quick-adjust mechanism comprisinghandle 58 and strap adjuster 56 as depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 depicts the sling utilized in single-point configuration on aweapons system that does not have a suitable single mount at the rear ofthe weapon near the receiver. Such weapons include AK-series weapons,shotguns or similar conventional weapons systems. The sling 12 isattached to the weapons system by use of the stock adapter accessory 31.The stock adapter accessory strap 33 is looped around the stock as shownin FIG. 4 and the latch 23 is attached to the stock adapter accessoryring 32. Alternatively, trigger-snap 54 can be attached to stock adapteraccessory ring 32. Use of the stock adapter accessory 31 also permitsthe use of the sling in two-point configuration on weapons systems thathave an additional forward positioned sling mount as is depicted in FIG.3.

FIG. 5 depicts the sling 12 worn in single-point configuration by aright-handed operator. This configuration permits full utilization ofthe bungee ring accessory 20 (depicted in FIG. 2) to momentarily extendthe weapons system for use with specialized close quarters combattechniques such as muzzle strikes.

FIG. 6 depicts the sling 12 in transition from single-pointconfiguration to two-point configuration. The operator single handedlydetaches the trigger-snap 54 from the bungee ring 29 and reattaches itto a muzzle end sling mount 70 at the muzzle end of the weapon system.

FIG. 7 depicts the sling in two-point configuration. This mode permitsfull utilization of the quick-adjust mechanism comprising the handle 58and the strap adjuster 56 by the operator to extend or shorten thedesired length of the sling 12 during use.

FIG. 8 depicts the weapon stowed on the operator's back with the muzzlepointed in a safe direction. Additionally, the quick-adjust mechanismcan be fully utilized to snug the weapon to the operator's body. Thistechnique can also be utilized on the front of the operator's body.

While the above description contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather asan exemplification of the embodiments therein. It is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments.Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodimentsdescribed in detail hereinabove. With respect to the claims, it isapplicant's intention that the claims not be interpreted in accordancewith the sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. §112 unless the term “means” isused followed by a functional statement. Further, with respect to theclaims, it should be understood that any of the claims described belowmay be combined for the purposes of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A modular sling attachable to a firearm having a stock endand a muzzle end, said firearm having either one sling attachment pointin the vicinity of the stock end or a plurality of sling attachmentpoints, at least one of said plurality of attachment points located inthe vicinity of the stock end and at least another one of said pluralityof attachment points located in the vicinity of the muzzle end,comprising: a removable first attachment section on the modular slingfor attaching the modular sling to a sling attachment point in thevicinity of the stock end of the firearm; a stationary strap sectionattached to the first attachment section; a quick adjustment sectionattached to the stationary strap section; a connector on said quickadjustment section for attaching the quick adjustment section to anattachment point; and said connector adapted to be attachable to thefirst attachment section.
 2. The modular sling of claim 1 wherein thefirst attachment section includes an extendable portion.
 3. The modularsling of claim 2 wherein the extendable portion includes a loop ofextendable material at least a portion of which is exposed.
 4. Themodular sling of claim 1 wherein the first attachment section includes astrap of non-extendable material.
 5. A sling attachable to a firearmhaving a stock end and a muzzle end, said firearm having either a singlesling attachment point in the vicinity of the stock end or a pluralityof sling attachment points at least one of said plurality of attachmentpoints being located in the vicinity of the stock end and at leastanother one of said plurality of attachment points being located in thevicinity of the muzzle end, comprising: a first attachment section forattaching to a sling attachment point in the vicinity of the stock endand including a loop of extendable material at least a portion of whichis exposed; a quick adjustment strap section having an adjustablelength; and the quick adjustment strap section having a strap lengthadjustor. 6-8. (canceled)
 9. The sling of claim 5 wherein the straplength adjustor includes a handle having two ends, one end attached tothe strap length adjustor and one end free.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The slingof claim 5 wherein the first attachment section includes a first hooktype connector for attachment to a first sling attachment point.
 12. Thesling of claim 5 wherein the quick adjustment strap section includes asecond hook type connector for attachment to a second sling attachmentpoint.
 13. The sling of claim 9 wherein the handle is constructed withflexible strapping material.
 14. The sling of claim 9 wherein the handleincludes a rigid component.
 15. The sling of claim 9 wherein the handleincludes a semi-rigid component.
 16. The sling of claim 9 wherein thehandle includes a rubberized covering.
 17. The sling of claim 12 whereinthe second hook type connector of claim 12 is adapted to connect to aportion of the first attachment section.
 18. The sling of claim 12wherein the second hook type connector is adapted to connect to thefirst hook type connector.
 19. (canceled)
 20. A sling for supporting afirearm, the firearm having either a single sling attachment point or aplurality of sling attachment points, comprising: the sling having alength, a first end and a second end; an extendable portion on thesling; the extendable portion nearer to the first end of the sling thanto the second end of the sling; the extendable portion including a loopof extendable material at least a portion of which is exposed; a firstattachment means coupled to the sling near the first end; a secondattachment means coupled to the sling near the second end; the firstattachment means configured to be attachable to one sling attachmentpoint on the firearm; the second attachment means configured to beattachable to a second sling attachment point on the firearm; the secondattachment means additionally configured to be attachable to an exposedportion of the loop of extendable material; a quick adjustment sectionhaving an adjustable length; the quick adjustment section having a straplength adjustor including a handle having two ends, one end attached tothe strap length adjustor and one end free; wherein the sling is adaptedto be attached to two attachment points on a firearm having a pluralityof attachment points or to a single attachment point on a firearm havingone or a plurality of attachment points.
 21. A modular sling attachableto a firearm, said firearm having either one sling attachment point or aplurality of sling attachment points, comprising: an attachment module;a stationary strap module; a quick adjustment module; the attachmentmodule including a connector attachable to a sling attachment point; thequick adjustment module including a connector attachable to a slingattachment point; the quick adjustment module further including a strap,a strap length adjustor on the strap and a handle coupled to the straplength adjustor, whereby when the handle is pulled in one direction thelength of the strap increases and when the handle is pulled in theopposite direction the length of the strap decreases; and the handlehaving two ends, one end attached to the strap length adjustor and oneend free.
 22. The modular sling of claim 21 wherein the attachmentmodule includes an extendable portion including a loop of extendablematerial at least a portion of which is exposed. 23-24. (canceled) 25.The modular sling of claim 22 wherein the connector on the quickadjustment module is attachable to the loop of extendable material.26-28. (canceled)
 29. The modular sling of claim 21 wherein theattachment module is removable from the sling prior to the sling beingattached to the firearm.
 30. The modular sling of claim 21 wherein thestationary strap module is adjustable in length.
 31. The modular slingof claim 21 wherein the stationary strap module is positioned betweenthe attachment module and the quick adjustment module. 32-33. (canceled)34. The modular sling of claim 1 wherein the removable first attachmentsection may be omitted.
 35. The modular sling of claim 1 wherein theconnector on the first attachment section is a tri-glide assembly. 36.The modular sling of claim 1 wherein the removable first attachmentsection includes an attachment hook for attaching to the firearm. 37.The modular sling of claim 2 wherein the extendable portion includes aloop of extendable material.
 38. The modular sling of claim 1 includinga detachable shoulder pad affixed to the stationary strap section. 39.The modular sling of claim 9 wherein the strap adjuster furthercomprises a first slot and a second slot in the strap adjuster, thequick adjustment strap passing in one direction through the first slotand in the relatively opposite direction through the second slot,wherein when the handle is pulled the strap adjuster moves along thequick adjustment strap altering the length of the quick adjustmentstrap.
 40. The modular sling of claim 1 further comprising a tri-glideadjuster on the stationary strap section for permitting the firstattachment section to be removed.
 41. The modular sling of claim 1further comprising a tri-glide adjuster on the quick adjustment sectionfor permitting the connector on the quick adjustment section to beremoved.
 42. The modular sling of claim 1 wherein the connector on thequick adjustment section is a hook type connector.